As part of the project’s relationship with University Archives, monthly activity reports documenting collection surveys, accessions, processing, and faculty contacts will be submitted to Beth Kaplan, the university archivist. Erik will also send an electronic copy to Dr. Cerra and to the members of the advisory committee to help keep all parties informed on latest developments and materials collected.

2. Oral history component updates & discussion

Erik began the discussion on the oral history component by reviewing some of his research into the supplies and documentation needed in order to conduct a successful oral history project.

In regards to equipment, the preferred method of recording will be with a video camera and external microphone. It will be necessary to purchase or rent a “broadcast” quality camera, meaning an equivalent to video that is produced for television footage.

Another important area to budget for will be transcription services for all recorded interviews. A well-edited transcription will serve as the primary access point for researchers interested in using the oral histories. Transcription services are approximately $20 per hour. Plan to budget for 4-5 hours of transcription per recorded hour of interview for a total of $100 per recorded hour.

Erik, Prof. Eyler and Dr. Cerra have all been in touch with DJ about the possibility of being part of the oral history project. He has expressed his interest but is unsure of how much time he is willing/able to commit. The discussion then turned to the possibility of having multiple interviewers. DJ could begin the project as a consultant and then perhaps a full-time person can be brought on board to continue his work. Dr. Cerra asked Prof. Gunn and Prof. Eyler to help determine what a job description for that kind of person would look like and what would be needed to budget for such a position.

Next the discussion focused on the need for IRB approval and the need for consent. Oral history projects at the University of Minnesota generally require IRB approval and can usually be considered as expedited reviews. IRB reviews are required for video and voice recordings as well as for interviews with people in a protected class, in this case some of the interviews will be with people considered to be a part of an elderly population. Dr. Cerra suggested it would be best to follow up with MK to better understand the full requirements. Dr. Cerra expressed the need for consent forms for each of the interviews and believed the IRB or AHC Counsel would be able to provide assistance. David Rhees noted that we need to be sure to have all copyrights signed over in the consent form.

The final aspect of this discussion centered on how to actually start the process. First, the creation of a time line of AHC history would help inform an interviewer. A list of potential people to interview would also help shape the project. Finally, a draft of questions would be helpful, although the questions cannot be finalized until the interviewer(s) is known and has his/her input. It was also suggested that it might be helpful to interview a group of people together and allow their conversation to help guide the direction and focus for the oral history project.

A speaker event with Gretchen Krueger is planned for February 28, 2007 from 4:30-5;00 pm in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. The topic will be on the history of oncology at the University and the work of Dr. B.J. Kennedy. The speaker event will also act as a means to kick-off the AHC Archives Project and make others aware of the project across the AHC.

4. How to make others (AHC faculty, staff, archivists, etc.) aware of the project?

Erik is keeping a project blog: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/. This is intended to help disseminate information about the project. It is also a means to document the creation of the archives and allow transparency for the process. This will soon be linked to the University Archives web site and can also be linked to the AHC web site (homepage?).

Other means of informing people about project activities might include a weekly update in the AHC News Capsules and possibly a small article or write up in the publication Pictures of Health. The University Archives will soon be featured on the University’s homepage and can include language that draws attention to the project.

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